We will start with a brief vellum update and then switch to the giveaway. I am bribing you.
Some people saw me testing things on Facebook this morning, and I wanted to explain it before any misunderstandings occured.
It’s our first time printing vellum so we made some decisions that slightly complicated our life.
Our original vellum, the one that is advertised in image below is printed on 40lb vellum. It’s thicker, the colors are brighter, and it is exactly 6×9 so it fits into US hardcover.
It fits in the book, but it is thicker and it is a bit of struggle to make it stay. It should have been printed slightly smaller.
We have now tried 5 different printers. At some point, I invited Grace Draven to the house to get unbiased opinions.
First, we dropped the white border and settled on the size that would fit both UK and US hardcovers.
Next we found a thinner vellum at 28 lbs that still shows the beautiful colors but is much thinner and lays better in the book.
We have one more batch coming to us before finalizing the no-border vellum. After that, the no-border vellum will be available as a separate product. We don’t want to throw it out there before we have pictures to show you.
We would like to give you options at the fulfillment.
- You can choose to stay with the original vellum with white border. We printed a ton of it and we have it in stock.
- You can switch to the no-white-border version at no additional charge. It is a one for one swap.
- And those of you who would like to get both, border and no-border, will be able to grab a set of no-border vellum at a discount. We will just stuff it into the same envelope, saving you on shipping. The add-on pack will be available only with a regular order.
Once we have finalized this second variant, we will send you an email through the store explaining how to choose your options. If you run into trouble, please email us and we will sort it.
A little warning about the fulfillment: we expect it to take several weeks. We have in excess of 2,000 orders. Kid 2 is stuffing maps into the envelopes as we speak. We even put Rito to work.
We appreciate your patience.
We will start shipping after 07/08, and if you get worried, email me through the store and I will be able to tell you your place in line.
Also I now know way too much about vellum.
Giveaway Bribe
We have received beautiful collected editions of Innkeeper Chronicles Volume 1 from Subterranean Press. It is a gorgeous book, and we are very grateful to Subterranean for reissuing it.
(And also an unexpected gift of the wonderful Sencha Tea! A giant bag of it. Dear Geralyn, thank you so much! It is appreciated beyond all reason.)
This collector edition contains Clean Sweep, Sweep in Peace, and One Fell Sweep. Clean Sweep is currently available free in our store.
This is your chance to grab one of these copies. The giveaway will run until 07/09 and the winner will be chosen on 07/10.
- US only – unfortunately, it is a massive book, and shipping it internationally will be a nightmare. House Andrews will host other international giveaways soon.
- To enter, please let us know in the blog comments who is your favorite character from the Innkeeper Chronicles.
PS Mod R:
Ilona wrote this post, but I am changing author to myself so she doesn’t get the thousands of comments alerts – House Andrews are on the last scenes of Maggie 2 and they need full focus!
Please read the instructions before making your comment, I have had to void so many entries in the previous giveaway.
Dina is my favorite character but it’s like picking a favorite child, I love them all.
My favorite is Maud I’ve read One Fell Sweep and Sweep of the Blade so many times as my go to stress relief. Her honor, strength, smarts and love of family just give me a happy buzz. (Of course I’ve ready the whole series multiple times too.)
My favorite character is Maud, who is a typical older sister. Her flaws and her strengths make me appreciate her.
I love Arland!
Dina is definitely my favorite, but Sean is a close second (protective, hardworking, and a good sense of humor)!
Thank you for the bribe & updates!
My favorite character in the Innkeeper Chronicles is Dina. She’s smart, resourceful, and a good person with flaws. I especially like how she interacts with her sister Maud, so amusing.
It’s so hard to pick but I love Alvina. She is funny, straight forward, & can more than hold her own. I would love a bestie like that.
Hello! My favorite character from the Innkeeper books is Cookie!
Helen! I can’t pass up the ripper cushions. I will happily accept bribes and appreciate the tremendous effort that is going into the vellum.
My favorite character is Orro, because he sounds like a wonderful cook and the descriptions of the food makes me hungry.
Might be a basic choice but Dina is my favorite! She’s just such a stellar main character! I love her determination so much!
It is almost impossible to pick a favorite, there are so many I love.
I am going to go with Maud with a side order of Helen. Maud is wonderful and fierce and great mother. and little Helen with her knives and ripper cushions is impossible not to love.
Helen is my favorite.
I can’t wait to see the vellum previews!
Dina is hands down my favorite but Orro is a close second!
So hard to choose…. Dina, but as many other have noted, I love them for different reasons.
My most replayed scene, though, is when Marais’ wife encounters Dina for the second time.
Dina and Helen are my favorites!
Caldenia is my favorite
Arland is my favorite!
My favorite is Dina, but I think Orro is my spirit animal.
Maud is the best. Maud is amazing! Maud is the only choice. Maud, Maud, Maud!…you get the point. 😁
Omg, I had this Sub press in my cart and forgot to check out; I am DISTRAUGHT to say the least and now so very hopeful I have enough luck to win!!!!
My fav Innkeeper character has to be Maud. She is such a dynamic character- both tough as nails when she needs to be and yet loving and gentle when mothering little Helen. Love her oh so much!
Fingers AND toes crossed 🙂
My favorite character is Maud’s daughter Helen. I love all the characters, but Helen’s combination of cuteness and badassery can’t be beat!
Sean is my favorite character from this series.
Caldenia is one of my favorite characters. Her little quips are hilarious and her background is fascinating.
So many choices but I think my favorite character has to be Helen. Love that kiddo.
My favorite character from the Inn Keepers Chronicles is Caldenia. I love how dark and deceptive she is.
I’d have to say my favorite is Dina! And thank you for working so hard with the end of book 2 for TKWNK!!! Can’t waitttttt *hands in air swaying back and forth with excitement”
Orro is probably my favorite character, he brings such dramatics to the kitchen in the Inn and has become a huge staple there. Plus every time he makes a masterpiece it makes my mouth salivate.
Thank you HA for all the amazing work you do!
Arland is my current favorite. Favorites change depending on which book I am reading.
This is by far my favorite series. To pick one favorite is like choosing a favorite child. You secretly have one but you can’t say it out loud! Haha.
I guess if I have to choose someone I’d choose Caldenia. She reminds me of a wise aunt that could be stern but in her own way loving.
Dina!!
My favorite is Orro. I love his pronouncements and unflagging ego. The voice Graphic Audio chose is amazing!
I think my favorite, mostly because she made such an impression on me when I first when the story is Caldenia.
My favorite character is Dina. I do love them all. It was a hard choice. Thank you for the opportunity.
I think I would have to say that mine is either Dina or Caldenia but my husband’s is Dina.
My Favorite Character is Maud! 100% Have read that book (Sweep of the Blade) many many times. I do like them all.
My Favorite Character from The Inn Keeper Chronicals is a mixture between Sean and Beast, I have a thing for animals. I also love the house she is the real star!
Caldenia is my favorite. She has grits, sacrifices for her family, personifies the misunderstood villain and keeps everything fun.
I feel like this is obvious but helen and maud are by far my favorites! Then Dina and Sean, then the space chickens. It’s hard to pick!
Dina most of the time. Unless I am reading Maude…
My favorite Innkeeper character is Dina, with Helen a close second!
Barsa barsa barsa. Barsa Barsa! Barsa Barsa Barsa! but wait! Barsa Barsa!!
(translation)
Ripper cushions and Caldenia. Do you want to discuss?
I kind of love Arland but it was really hard to pick a favorite character. This was the first Andrews universe I read and I wish I could be an Innkeeper.
Orro is my favorite!! His passion, his skills, his earnestness….yes, he is a self loathing misanthrope, but he vibrates with the love of his work!!
Maud for sure!
My favorite character is Caldenia.
My favorite character is Maud. I see I’m in good company! 🙂 I’m a big sister too and totally resonate with her thought process.
Thank you House Andrews for your stories! Happy 4th of July everyone!
I enjoy all of the characters in the series but Maud is my favorite. She is so much fun to follow!
Oh my, who isn’t my favorite character?!
I am going to go with Beast!
I am in the US.
Thank you!
My favorite character is Dina in the series followed by little Helen. Dina is everything an innkeeper should be. Helen is an awe inspiring child. Her reporting for ripper cushions is a window into the woman she will become.
Maud. She’s who I want to be when I grow up. I’m only 45, so I totally have time to learn to be that competent, smart, and resourceful.
After just reading Sweep of the Heart for the first time, I think my favorite character is Gertrude Hunt itself. The inns are such a wonderful example of symbiotic relationships with their innkeepers!
I am stuck between Orro and Helen. Think I’ll go with Helen — there might be ripper cushions.
Orro is my favorite. Fierce and innocent, arrogant and fragile, expert and total noob – is the the most beautifully coherent contradiction who will slide you a plate of something you didn’t ask for – delicious with garnish -grumbling the whole time.
Caldinia! I hope to grow up to be like her one day – minus the murder part.
My favorite is Dina!
I like Arland of House Krahr (but Maud’s daughter is charming and handles her “ripper cushions” very well).
My favorite Innkeeper character – well, one of them, anyway – is Officer Marais. I love how committed he is to justice and ensuring that his neighborhood is safe. And then turning on a dime to accept, understand, and enforce an entire new universe of rules!
Maud. She is a total badass.
My favorite character is Maude.
So many favorites, but I’ll choose Caldenia. I love the complex layers and calculations, not to mention neighborhood gossip!
Favorite character? I guess Caldenia. However, I really identify with Dina, adore Cookie and Helen, and I can’t help feeling there is more to Tony.
As an aside, I really credit this series with helping my daughter get her very first adult job. We love Dina and crew.
Helen is my favorite! With Maud and Dina as very close seconds. Their family dynamic is so sweet and true, and Helen is so fierce and cute!
Orro is my favorite character from Inkeeper Chronicles – so hard to choose just one though. thanks!
My favorite character is Orro because his redemption story and heart to make things better with food
My favorite character is Caldenia. She is scary when it comes to protecting those she loves – which makes her all the better as an ally!
my favorite character is the dog. sorry I can’t remember it’s name it’s been awhile.
My favorite character in The Innkeeper series is Caldenia. She is wickedly intelligent and although ruthless, she’s more ruthless with herself than anyone else. The best part about her is buried under all the layers of her personality lies an incredibly loyal, warm heart. I love how she is almost motherly with Dina, offering advice and counsel even though some of it isn’t always appropriate or appreciated.
The way my heart strings are pulled by Orro it’s gotta be Orro, even though I love Dina and Maud very much!! one of my fav scenes is when Orro eats the mango and then later makes her the mango ice cream!!
Orro is probably my favorite, so dramatic, yet sweet.
My favorite character is Helen. s
She reminds me so much of my kiddos and shares a name with my mom. she holds a special place in my heart!
No entry for giveaway, just happy vibes.
Ilona posted Maggie 2 is done! Chiii!
Yay!!!
It’s so hard to choose. You’re asking the impossible… Sean, Maud, Helen, Arland, Caledonia, Otto, Cookie, Beast, Space Chickens, so many great characters. But without Dina there would be no Innkeeper Series – so Dina it is. Thanks for making it all so real.
My favorites are Helen and Maude, with Helen being the absolute favorite, she has so much potential. Thank you for the chance to win.
Sean
Oh, my favorite series! So hard to choose just one fave character, but I love Orro.
Lord Soren is my favorite character from the Innkeeper Chronicles perhaps because he kept an open mind while determining if Maud would be a good wife for Arland even while peering at a photograph of Maud’s grandfather in a uniform.
But he runs a close second to Helen as she drops things like “ripper cushions” into our vocabulary.
My favorite character is Orro. My mental image of him changes from hedgehog when he is in his kitchen to porcupine when he is disturbed. I love how he meshed with Helen’s character.
Dina is my favorite! The main characters are usually my favorite since they get the most screen time so to speak!
My favorite character is Maud. You’ve got to love and big sister who takes no BS… unless it’s part of the plan.
I think my favorite Innkeeper character has to be Shaun. I love his story arc.
I immediately thought of Cookie before considering any other character! The women are amazing, and Helen is adorable.
Caldenia, hands down. I want half her poise and ruthlessness.
My favorite is Maud–I love the older sister vibes!
I love all of the characters, this series is amazing. I think Maud might be my favorite character for now.
My favorite character is definitely Maud. She’s a fantastic mom who can play politics, negotiate trades, or fight battles with equal expertise!
Does George count? I think George should count. In case George doesn’t count, then Caldenia.
I’ve been hoping to buy a copy of the Innkeeper collector’s edition for years now but have missed my chance with every printing (it sells out so fast!), so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for this giveaway!
Oh my and yes, please on entering the sweepstakes – my favorite character from the InnKeeper series is … Maud.
It’s a tough choice because of the wonderful characters, but I identify with Maud, who dealt with a messy ex and extensive clean-up after, her trust issues, and overall commitment to honor and family.
Ok, picking one favorite character can’t be done! I love Dina, Sean, Orro, Cookie, Arland, Maud – is there anyone I don’t like – I don’t think so. Of them all, if I were forced to pick one, it would be Dina for sure. Orro is 2nd because I would love if I could stop by his kitchen, watch him cook and eat some of his fabulous creations! (especially dessert!!!!)
I think of Orro first when I reach for that (pardon the pun) extra bit of flavor amongst the cast. The food is probably delightful, sure, but he manages to feel equally absurd and relatable to me.
My favorite character is Maud, who is so relatable as a woman, a mother, and someone who refuses to let anyone control her life. Out of all the wonderful characters, Maud just has an energy around her that shows she will protect her family, and she will not be a victim.
My favorite character is Maud!
Saw the Done post. Wasn’t able to leave a comment there. Congratulations and a million thanks. I realize there is still a lot of work to do but I just wanted to show appreciation. Love your work!
Olasard. He’s a cat.
I love all of them! But currently I would pick Maud because she is so ferocious! And her daughter Helen is hilarious. When I started the series, Dina was my first love.
Hi from Western Washington State, U.S.A. They say it’s summer but /squints at sky/ maybe only for the next 20 minutes or so.
I love Orro the most, he is my favorite!
So hard to choose, but Caldenia wins by a gorgeously manicured claw.
If you don’t count Dina, Gertrude Hunt. Honorable mention for First Scholar Thek. Favorite cameo is Gaston!
Dina is my favorite. I love how she is an amazing woman who cares a great deal for those around her.
Orro is very much a favorite. I would love to experience his cooking!
So hard to choose! But I think Dina because I want to be her.
My favorite character is Karat. She doesn’t jump to conclusions about people. She really sees what is around her and works with what is available. I can see why she is a leader not just because of her family.